Rejoicing in Heaven
This section expands the message of the sixth...
This section expands the message of the sixth song of response (18:20; see study note on 18:1–24), which called for rejoicing. Various groups direct praises to the Lord. The praises can be divided into two sections: thankfulness for the destruction of the evildoers (19:1–4) and thankfulness for the reward of God’s people (19:5–8).
This scene focuses on what John heard rather...
This scene focuses on what John heard rather than on what he saw. The first three-part praise comes from a vast crowd (cp. 7:9–10).
1After this I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude in heaven, shouting:
“Hallelujah!†Salvation and glory and power belong to our God!2For His judgments are true and just.He has judged the great prostitutewho corrupted the earth with her immorality.He has avenged the blood of His servantsthat was poured out by her hand.”3And a second time they called out:
“Hallelujah!Her smoke rises forever and ever.”4And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne, saying:
“Amen, Hallelujah!”5Then a voice came from the throne, saying:
“Praise our God,all you who serve Him,and those who fear Him,small and great alike!”The Marriage of the Lamb
The focus of the final thunderous Praise the...
The focus of the final thunderous Praise the Lord! is that God reigns as the Almighty in complete supremacy (see 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7, 14; 19:15; 21:22).
6And I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude, like the rushing of many waters, and like a mighty rumbling of thunder, crying out:
“Hallelujah!For the Lord our God† the Almighty reigns.7Let us rejoice and be gladand give Him the glory.For the marriage of the Lamb has come,and His bride has made herself ready.8She was given clothing of fine linen,bright and pure.”For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints.
9Then the angel told me to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
10So I fell at his feet to worship him. But he told me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who rely on the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
The Rider on the White Horse
Then I saw: John describes a new vision...
Then I saw: John describes a new vision of Jesus Christ as the holy warrior and conquering King (see 14:1; see also Exod 15:1–7; Pss 24:8; 78:49–50; Isa 59:16–17).
The drama moves into its climactic scenes: God’s...
The drama moves into its climactic scenes: God’s enemies are defeated and punished in two episodes (19:11–21; 20:7–10). Meanwhile, the faithful experience a 1,000-year resurrection (20:1–6) followed by the final judgment (20:11–15).
11Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war. 12He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. 13He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood,† and His name is The Word of God.
14The armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and pure, follow Him on white horses. 15And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter.† He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh:
Defeat of the Beast and False Prophet
Gather together for the great banquet: This feast...
Gather together for the great banquet: This feast upon the flesh of the armies gathered together to fight against Christ is contrasted with “the wedding feast of the Lamb” (19:7). The enemies that form for battle are quickly destroyed (19:20–21; see also 14:17–20; 16:16–21). Two feasts—the marriage supper of the Lamb (19:7–8) and the “great supper” of God’s judgment (19:17–18, 21)—provide two perspectives on the end of time. They illustrate the two sides of the Good News: grace and judgment, reward and punishment (cp. John 3:16–18).
17Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out in a loud voice to all the birds flying overhead, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, 18so that you may eat the flesh of kings and commanders and mighty men, of horses and riders, of everyone slave and free, small and great.”
19Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies assembled to wage war against the One seated on the horse, and against His army. 20But the beast was captured along with the false prophet, who on its behalf had performed signs deceiving those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 21And the rest were killed with the sword that proceeded from the mouth of the One seated on the horse. And all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.